(Photo by Damian Markutt on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 82, we are going to study 1 John 3:4.
Let’s read the verse.
1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
Everyone (3956. pas) — means all or every single one. It shows that no one is excluded.
Who (3588. ho, hé, to) — means the person who is described by what comes next.
Practices (4160. poieó) — means to do, make, or carry out. In this verse it describes someone who continually does something. It points to a habit or pattern of life, not just a single act.
Sin (266. hamartia) — means missing the mark or falling short of God’s perfect standard.
Practices (4160. poieó) — again emphasizes ongoing, habitual action. The repetition shows that both sin and lawlessness are actively and continually practiced.
Lawlessness (458. anomia) as well (2532. kai) — means living as if God’s law does not matter. It describes a rebellious disregard for God’s authority and His commands.
Indeed (2532. kai) sin (266. hamartia) — again refers to missing the mark or failing to meet God’s standard.
Is (1510. eimi) lawlessness (458. anomia) — means that sin is lawlessness. In other words, sin is living in disregard of God’s law and rejecting His authority.
In other words, every single person who continually practices sin is living in rebellion against God, because ongoing sin is the practice of lawlessness and a rejection of His authority.
In previous lessons we studied that we are children of God, and that one day we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). When you have this hope in Jesus Christ, you will pursue purity, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
1 John 3:4 shows us the opposite path. Instead of pursuing purity, the person who continually practices sin is pursuing lawlessness. It is living as though God’s law does not matter.
Rather than reflecting the character of Christ, this kind of life reflects ongoing rebellion against the Lawgiver Himself.
The word “practices” carries the idea of continual action. It describes an ongoing lifestyle. John is speaking about someone whose life is characterized by habitual sin.
This is not an occasional failure, but an unbroken cycle of rebellion. They are comfortable with sin. Their life reflects active defiance against God.
John’s point is clear. Being a child of God does not give someone permission to pursue a life of sin. Ongoing practice of sin reveals a heart in rebellion.
However, this does not mean Christians never sin. Believers still have a sin nature and must confess their sins (1 John 1:8–9). But for a true Christian, sin is no longer a defining pattern.
Christians have a built-in awareness of sin through the Holy Spirit. They struggle with it because they love God. They love His law, delight in it, and desire to obey it. When they sin, they confess it and seek forgiveness. That becomes their pattern instead.
The contrast is clear. Habitual lawlessness reveals a heart in defiance of God. Habitual confession and repentance reveals a heart that belongs to God.
The first step toward holy living is recognizing what sin truly is. It is lawlessness. As a child of God, examine your life. Are there patterns of habitual rebellion? If so, turn from them. Replace habitual sin with habitual confession and obedience.
Only Christ can break the pattern of lawlessness. Rely on Him. It is His blood that cleanses and transforms.
Let’s review several verses that support and expand on the teaching in 1 John 3:4 that everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, and that sin is lawlessness.
In John 8:34, Jesus says that those who continually sin are slaves to sin, showing that habitual sin is a lifestyle of rebellion against God, with sin itself controlling their lives like a master.
John 8:34 “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
In Matthew 7:23, Jesus calls those who continually rebel against God’s ways “workers of lawlessness.” This shows a pattern of ongoing, deliberate disobedience. The ultimate result of this behavior is spiritual separation from God.
Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
In Numbers 15:31, we read about people who are lawless and living in ongoing rebellion against God. They will be cut off from God, will not receive forgiveness, and must bear the penalty for their sin themselves. Ongoing rebellion against God’s commands brings both guilt and consequences.
Numbers 15:31 He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”
In Romans 4:15, we see the direct connection between God’s law and sin. Sin is defined by God’s law. Without the law, there would be no transgression because there would be no revealed standard to violate. When someone sins, they are breaking God’s law. This is why sin is described as lawlessness. It is rebellion against God’s standard.
Romans 4:15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
In conclusion, when a person continually practices rebellion against God’s perfect standard, they are treating His law as if it doesn’t matter. They are making sin a way of life, a consistent pattern of disobedience. Sin is not merely breaking a rule, it is living in disregard of God’s authority and rejecting His rightful rule over their life.
Here are the key takeaways from the cross references.
Everyone who consistently practices sin as a lifestyle is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)
The ultimate result of being a worker of lawlessness is separation from God. (Matthew 7:23)
Those who despise God’s Word will bear guilt and the consequences of sin. (Numbers 15:31)
Without God’s law, there is no sin, because sin is lawlessness. (Romans 4:15)
Be encouraged. When you are abiding in Christ, you are living the opposite of what these verses describe. Instead of following a habitual lifestyle of rejecting God, you are pursuing purity, placing your hope in Jesus, and turning away from sin every day.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
God, thank You for showing me what sin truly is and the seriousness of living in rebellion against Your commands. Help me to examine my heart and turn from any patterns of lawlessness. Give me the strength to walk in obedience, to confess my sins, and to rely on Jesus for cleansing and transformation. May my life reflect Your holiness and bring You glory. Amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
